Challenges to an Integrated Delta Approach: the case of the Tagus Estuary

ABSTRACT Fernandes, A., Figueira de Sousa, J., Vicente, T., Ferreira, J. C., 2013. Challenges to an Integrated Delta Approach: the case of the Tagus Estuary In: Conley, D.C., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. and O'Hare, T.J. (eds.) The Tagus estuary is the largest wetland and estuary in Portugal and one of the most important estuaries in Europe. This estuary occupies a central position in the territorial context of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. However, the competitive relationship between the multifunctional land uses and economic activities present in this estuary and the specific ecological values of the area, result in an unbalanced development of the estuary. The exchange of experiences with other estuary and delta regions through the Deltanet Project, proved that the Tagus estuary faces important challenges in finding a balance between economic development (port development, tourism) and the ecological conservation of this estuary. In this sense, the present article aims: (i) to identify the main proble...